Every artistic genre has its next big things. Though in the music industry, such up-and-comers often fail to break through. There are countless bands, especially in the underground, who deserve far more recognition they receive – a few of these artists, however, hold far greater potential than their peers. Here is my list of ten underground bands we should expect big things from in the future.

10. Lannen Fall: Lannen Fall may have released their debut EP on Red Blue Records in 2007, but the Boston band never caught on. Though these now-unsigned melodic rockers played their last show as a band in June 2010 (the sole reason they are ranked last on this list), they leave behind a three-EP legacy that deserves – and, feasibly, still can acquire – a far larger audience than it currently has.

9. Eikostate: Formed from the remnants of the now-defunct metal band After-Feedback, Eikostate self-released their debut and have established a solid fan base; the primary problem for this band is going to be expanding from their home country, Spain, and breaking into the American scene.

8. Sound We Sleep: The only pop-punkers gracing this list, Florida’s Sound We Sleep has pro­vided support for bands such as A Skylit Drive – no small feat for a largely-unknown band signed to an independent label. Thus far, SWS has shown two major strengths: catchy, guitar-driven songs and a penchant to be personable with fans. If they keep it up, their future looks bright.

7. Title Fight: This melodic hardcore/pop-punk hybrid band hails from Pennsylvania and have opened for the likes of Bayside and Senses Fail; though their EPs have been only so-so thus far, their songs show evidence of musical progression. If Title Fight continues to learn from experience – and their debut full-length, due for release in May, will hopefully provide proof – big things could be in store.

6. Tigers Jaw:These Scranton rockers (and friends of Title Fight) may have had to share a split CD with fellow Pennsylvanian up-and-comers Balance and Composure, but they are rapidly coming into their own; they have substantial listenership and have played shows as far away as Britain.

5. Ivoryline: Though Ivoryline are off to a good start –they are Warped Tour veterans, were an opener on the eight-band lineup on 2010’s popular Scream It Like You Mean It tour and have re­leased a respectable number of EPs and full-lengths since their formation in 2003 – listenership has remained surprisingly small. Though SILYMI gave the Texas band a boost – the national tour featured headliner Silverstein and support from the likes of Emery and We Came as Romans, all of which have immense fan bases – they still have the potential to achieve much more than they have thus far.

4. Girl on Fire: This Seattle post-hardcore band is in good company; Aiden frontman Wil Fran­cis produced the second of their two-volume debut EPs, and the influence of his band can clearly be heard. Though the group has had little touring experience outside the Northwest, their music has the potential to explode onto the national scene.

3. Hearts Under Fire: Any band that self-describes as striving to “mix the new wave of pop punk/rock (You Me At Six, The Audition) with the darker punk rock (Alkaline Trio, AFI)” is bound to attract attention. Though such standout bands are hard to match, Britain’s Hearts Under Fire surprises, indeed doing justice to every one of their muses. Additionally, HUF recently played the UK’s Next Big Thing Festival, cementing their right to the title. Not since the formation of Kittie has an all-female underground group held so much promise.

2. Requiem for the Dead: Though this band has only released two songs as of press time, they have one major asset: the star power of lead vocalist Steven Juliano, formerly of I Am Ghost (IAG). The band seems to stick roughly with the style that made Juliano successful, essentially functioning as IAG 2.0. That’s not to say that’s a bad thing, though; IAG was beloved in the scene, and a slight­ly-altered reincarnation is better than simply abandoning the band’s music. Though RFTD seems to be far less heavy than Juliano’s former band, two tracks is not enough to pass judgment. Only time will tell whether or not Juliano keeps his style fully intact and, regardless of whether or not he does, his name alone is almost guaranteed to propel RFTD to sizeable success in the underground.

1. Closure in Moscow: Closure in Moscow are well on their way to becoming successful; the Austra­lian prog-rockers have played Warped Tour and opened for major acts including Coheed and Cambria, Saosin and Aiden. For a band whose first full-length dropped in mid-2009, it’s a promising start.